On 11 August 2014 the new flagship of EU Naval Force ITS Andrea Doria conducted its first friendly approach in the Gulf of Aden. To help strengthen mutual understanding and trust between the EU Naval Force and local seafarers, as well as obtain first hand information about possible piracy incidents in the area, EU Naval Force ships will sometimes make ‘Friendly Approaches’ to fishing and cargo dhows and speak to the masters and crew.

ITS Doria, commanded by Captain Gianfranco Annunziata, joined Operation Atalanta on 6 August and yesterday conducted its first Friendly Approach on a “sambuq”, a cargo dhow. Whilst conducting Counter-Piracy patrols in the International Recommended Traffic Corridor (IRTC), ITS Doria spotted the vessel and arranged the Friendly Approach by its embarked boarding team.

Friendly Approaches are part of the daily duties of EU Naval Force units. ITS Andrea Doria will embark the Force Commander, Rear Admiral Guido Rando, and his multinational staff for 6 months.